Galapagos Cruise - Archipel I

Day 1 : Arrive Galapagos Islands

On arrival into Baltra Airport you will be met and transferred to the harbour to board your ship. Settle into your cabin followed by a welcome briefing and lunch.
This afternoon visit Bachas beach, a lovely bay with soft, white coral sand that is frequently visited by sea turtles to lay their eggs, so please, watch your step! After enjoying some leisure time at the beach, you could explore a small lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingos, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. You might also observe some rusty barges, which were abandoned here after WWII when the USA rented this island as a strategic

Day 2 : Genovesa, Galapagos Islands

Visit Prince Philip’s Steps on Genovesa, taking a dinghy ride along the eastern arm of the caldera. You will then have to hike and overcome the steep stairs from the landing dock. Enjoy panoramic views, a strong sea breeze and the amazing flying skills of countless seabirds. Following the exposed rim, you will first pass the Nazca boobies and finally reach the extensive storm petrel nesting places, where, if you’re lucky, you can spot the well-camouflaged short-eared owl hunting for food. In the afternoon visit Darwin Bay. The small area will surprise you, walking along a coral sand beach, crossing barren lava formations and creeks, passing tidal pools, shrubs and further ahead following the top of some cliffs.

Day 3 : Bartholomew, Galapagos Islands

The beautiful volcanic islet of Bartholomew is among the youngest of the islands and offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas of the entire archipelago. To enjoy the postcard view of the idyllic “Pinnacle Bay” you will have to climb the stairs to the viewpoint on top of the island (114 m/375 ft). Enter a dramatic world of spatter cones, craters, and lightweight lava droplets that have been spewed out by fiery fountains. The arrival in Sullivan Bay is like a moon landing. The desolate, sprawling fields seem to be mostly lifeless, but this island, which is particularly popular among photographers, still offers a lot to see. Green sea turtles burrow in the small white sand beach, where you can also find crabs, blue herons and oystercatchers.

Day 4 : Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands

Visit the Twin Craters and El Chato Reserve on Santa Cruz. Search for Galapagos giant tortoises in their most authentic setting! Despite the interesting breeding centres there is nothing better than to observe them in their wild environment. It can be quite muddy so your visit may turn into an adventurous quest. The Twin Craters are impressive formations formed by magma domes, which hardened on the outside while the lava continued flowing inside, leaving huge, empty magma chambers that eventually collapsed, leaving two large holes. Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre to learn about the breeding programme.

Day 5 : Cormorant Point, Galapagos Islands

Disembark at Cormorant Point where you will be welcomed by a colony of Galapagos sea lions. The beach here has green sand and contains a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals. You will then visit another beach on the other side of Floreana Island which has beautiful, fine white sand. This sand is made from coral that has been pulverised by Parrotfish. You will snorkel here and spot schools of stingrays. If you are lucky you may even see Pacific green turtles. Later visit Post Office Bay. You can bring your postcards and post them from the peculiar barrel shaped post box, located here in this historic site. The barrel commemorates an improvised mail service that was set up in the 16th century by whalers.

Day 6 : Gardner Bay, Galapagos Islands

Espanola Island awaits, and your first stop today is Gardner Bay, home to a large sea lion colony. Then cruise to Suarez Point where you can admire a natural phenomenon – a spectacular blowhole, where water sprays metres high into the air that has been created by huge ocean waves crashing into the basaltic cliffs over time. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare Galapagos owl here.

Day 7 : San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands

This morning stop at Pitt Point on San Cristobal Island, one of the most easterly points of the entire Galapagos archipelago. These cliffs were the first sight of land when the HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin arrived in 1835. Land on a small beach, where you will be welcomed by a group of barking sea lions. The colony here is a bachelor colony, filled with males who spend their time preparing for fighting and mating. Continue on to Witch Hill, where you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling from the shore. This site is one of the first visited by Charles Darwin and is home to an impressive landscape and several species of coastal and migratory birds, including pelicans, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. You can also see sea lions and marine iguanas here.

Day 8 : San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands

The Lobos Islet on San Cristobal harbours a colony of Galapagos sea lions. Two other emblematic species breed here: male blue-footed boobies and great frigate birds who try to impress the females (and tourists) with clumsy dances, heaving their striking blue feet or blowing up their balloon-sized scarlet pouches. During the breeding season, the fluffy and hungry chicks cry for food, and when their wings get strong enough, they will learn to fly.

Disembark and transfer to the airport.